Disney’s Pop Century or All Star Resorts in 2024?

Disney’s Pop Century or All Star Resorts in 2024?

Disney’s Pop Century or All Star Resorts in 2024?

This article is your complete guide to comparing the Pop Century Vs the All-Star Resorts in 2024! Because here at the Park Prodigy, one of the most common questions we receive is which Disney Value resort should I pick? So we have decided to break down all of the pros and cons when comparing Pop Century Vs All Star Resorts!

This was an article I was super excited to write about as I am a huge fan of the value resorts at Disney World and have stayed at every single value resort multiple times. I am also a huge fan of RunDisney and one of the most common questions we discuss in the community leading up to race weekend is whether should I stay at All-Star Sports or Pop Century. We feel all value resorts provide something great and it’s important when looking at at any Disney resort to compare the price, room, food options, transportation, pools, and amenities.

Personally, when it comes to All-Star vs Pop Century, we are big fans of the All-Star Resorts due to the value of what you get! There is also a little bit more Disney magic at the All-Star Resorts, which we love as Disney Adults.

We hope you find this post helpful, and if you are planning a trip to Disney World be sure to check out our other FREE vacation planning tools. Our goal at The Park Prodigy has always been to help you save time and money on your next Disney vacation including the best time to buy Disney World tickets and book amazing Disney vacation packages! 

So if you’re ready to decide if you should stay at the All-Star Resorts or Pop Century read on!

SPECIAL NOTE: If you’re looking for the best time to visit Disney World be sure to check out our Disney Crowd Calendar!

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2024 Pop Century Vs All-Star Resorts Guide

Disney Value Resorts are incredible ways for guests to book Disney hotels without breaking the bank. Disney Value Resorts offers many perks, such as free Disney transportation, while still being an affordable option for families. That’s why we are going to compare the Disney All-Star Resorts vs Pop Century to see which Value Resort is best for you!

In this article, we will be comparing the following Disney Value Resorts: 

• Disney’s All-Star Movies 
• All-Star Sports 
• All-Star Music Resort
• Disney’s Pop Century

Why not Disney’s Art of Animation resort? That’s a great question! The main reason we left the Art of Animation off of this list is that the resort is geared towards suites for larger groups visiting Disney World. We wanted to make sure this comparison is apples-to-apples to give you the best information possible when planning your Disney World vacation.

Related Article: The Best Disney World Hotels for Large Groups

Comparing the Price of Pop Century Resort vs. Star Resorts in 2024

Although the Disney All-Star Resorts and Pop Century are all considered value resorts they do fluctuate in prices per night throughout the year. On Average Disney Value resorts will range from $145.00-$250.00 per night in 2024 depending on the time of year you travel. So now which resort is the cheapest when trying to decide between the All-Star Resorts or Pop Century Resort?

We have found on average the All-Star Resorts to be between $15-$20 cheaper than the Pop Century resort per night. This might not seem like a lot but it could add up for those longer Walt Disney World stays. Many families might be surprised to see that when trying to figure out how many days you should spend in Walt Disney World it almost always turns out to be between 6-7. So depending on some other factors such as upgraded rooms it might make more sense to choose the All-Star Resorts and save a few bucks.

But if convenience is a deal breaker for you, it might be worth spending a few extra dollars to take advantage of the transportation at Pop Century which we will cover shortly. It’s also important to note that typically if you are visiting during a RunDisney event and trying to decide if you should visit All Star Sports Vs Pop Century they will be very similar in price. I have found the best value to be at the All-Star Music or All-Star Movies resort for popular weekends like this.

What is the price for a standard room at Pop Century Resort vs All Stars Resorts?

• Pop Century  – Starting at $174
• All Star Sports  – Starting at $128
• All-Star Music – Starting at $128
• All-Star Movies – Starting at $128

As you can see, pricing for All-Star Resorts vs Pop Century Resort is roughly the same, but you aren’t going to get a room for under $100 a night on Disney property. If you’re looking for a cheaper option, you can try searching for off-site hotels which can give you even better rates if you need them!

Why is Pop Century More Expensive?

A very common question we receive is, why is Pop Century more expensive? The main reason why Pop Century is more expensive is due to the hotel simply being newer and also the newest transportation hub on the Disney Skyliner. We find that guests prefer the ease of transportation on the Skyliner compared to the Disney shuttle busses.

Is Pop Century a value or moderate?

Another very common question we receive is, is Pop Century a value or moderate resort? Pop Century is included in the list of Disney value resorts which also include the All-Star Sports, All-Star Music Resort, All-Star Movies Resort, and Disney’s Art of Animation Resort.

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2024 All-Star Resorts or Pop Century Rooms

So now which Disney value resort has the best rooms? This was a huge advantage to Pop Century until very recently, as that resort was the first value resort to receive complete room makeovers. However, as of the writing of this article, all of the 2024 All-Star Resorts have gone through the same room makeovers. We are a huge fan of the newly renovated rooms at all of the Disney value resorts and especially love the Murphy bed layout. We also think Disney did a great job of giving these rooms a modern touch while keeping the Disney theme on point.

What are the rooms at the Disney Value Resorts 2024 like? (All-Star & Pop Century Resort)

The newly renovated rooms all come complete with two queen beds (one Murphy bed that turns into a table). I was a bit skeptical when sleeping on the Murphy bed but it had the same queen mattress as the other bed and I got a great night’s sleep. The bathroom area comes with its sink area and then the bathroom has a simple toilet and tub layout. All value resort rooms also come with a safe and storage/cubbies to keep your luggage organized.

All rooms also have a mini fridge (great for storing snacks and small breakfast items) as well as a coffee maker.

I was very impressed with the renovated Disney Value resort rooms and I have made it a point to stay there more often given how enjoyable my experiences have been. You simply can’t beat the value and  I don’t think this should be a deciding factor when considering Disney’s Pop Century or All Star Resorts.

Pop Century Resort rooms

• Room size – The standard rooms at Pop Century Resort are around 260 sq. feet with two double beds or a king bed
• Theme – The Pop Century Resort is divided into different sections, each representing a specific decade from the 1950s to the 1990s. The rooms are adorned with colorful and vibrant decor that pays homage to iconic pop culture references from those eras.

All-Star Resort rooms

• Room size – The standard rooms at All Star Resorts are approximately 260 square feet, with either two double beds or one king bed.
• Theme – Each of the All-Star Resorts (Movies, Music, and Sports) has its unique theming. All-Star Movies celebrates classic Disney films, All-Star Music highlights different genres of music, and All-Star Sports focuses on various sports themes. The rooms reflect the respective themes with corresponding decor.

Related Article: The Best Time to Visit Disney World 

2024 Dining Options at Pop Century Resort Vs All-Star Resorts

So the dining options at Disney’s Pop Century Resort as well as all three All-Star Resorts are very similar as well. The only dining option at each hotel is the main food court. Although this might not seem that exciting at first, every food court does have four different separate dining sections each with its option of hot foods, and pizzas, and also includes a cold section with a variety of snacks and beverages.

The food courts in all of the hotels are open from around 6:00 AM for breakfast until midnight if you are trying to grab an after-park snack. One of the other things that Disney has kept which we enjoy is the mobile order function. This makes it super convenient to order your food from any of the Disney value resorts. But this just makes it a bit more difficult when grading the All-Star Resorts or Pop Century. 

We do have to give the Pop Century Resort the slight edge when it comes to dining options due to its proximity to Disney’s Art of Animation resort. The Art of Animation Resort does have different food options including a make-your-own pasta option. We found this to be extremely convenient, especially during RunDisney weekends!

The walkability of All-Star Vs Pop Century

If you have small children, the size and spread of the Disney Resort will probably be a deciding factor. For instance, since All-Star Movies is much smaller in size than Pop Century, it is much easier to find bus stops, the food court, etc. A good rule of thumb is that smaller resorts are easier to get around in, while larger resorts can be slightly harder to travel if you don’t purchase a Preferred room. In terms of walking to the parks, you cannot walk to any of the four Walt Disney World parks from Pop Century or any All-Star resort. The good news is they all offer transportation, which we’ll cover next.

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Transportation Options Pop Century Vs All-Star Resorts 2024

So transportation is one of the categories where Pop Century has the clear edge. This is due to the newest addition of the Walt Disney World Skyliner which now connects Pop Century (and other Disney resorts) with both Hollywood Studios as well as EPCOT. We have found the Skyliner to be extremely convenient and a great addition to Walt Disney World. We do want to make a note that at park closing time, the line for the Skyliner can get pretty long since guests of the Skyliner resort hotels are all trying to go back at the same time. Guests staying at Pop Century Resort can also take the Disney bus system to the Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, the Disney water parks, and Disney Springs. However, since Pop Century has the Skyliner option, the bus does not run as often.

Guests staying at the All-Star Resorts have the option of the free Disney bus system to all four Walt Disney World parks, Disney water parks, and Disney Springs. It’s also important to note that All-Star Resorts will share buses from time to time. Because of this, we give the All-Star Sports resort the edge as this is the first stop when coming back from the parks.

Our suggestion would be if transportation is most important then your best option is Pop Century. But if you are afraid of heights and won’t be riding the skyline or prefer to take Ubers then you have the flexibility to stay at all Disney Value Resorts.

What transportation options do Pop Century vs All-Star Resorts have?

• Pop Century Resort – Disney Skyliner, busses
• All-Star Resorts – Disney busses

Can you walk from All-Star Movies to Pop Century?

Another very popular question we receive is, can you walk from All-Star Movies to Pop Century? And as a general rule, you can not walk from All-Star Movies to Pop Century. And although it is only about a 3-4 mile difference between the two resorts the main reason is there is not an official walking path. The closest hotel to All-Star Movies within walking distance would be the All-Star Music and All-Star Sports. The closest hotel in walking distance to Pop Century would be Art of Animation.

How far is Pop Century from All-Star Movies?

The Disney Pop Century Resort is 2 miles away from Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort. The only way to get to the All-Star Resorts is by bus transportation or ride share like Uber.

Related Article: Complete Guide to Parking at Disney World 

The Best Pools at the All-Star Resorts Vs Pop Century 2024

One of the most enjoyable and surprising things we found about the Disney value resorts is that each hotel has multiple pools on the property. The only downside we see is these pools don’t have some slides or other features the pools at the moderate or deluxe resorts have. Each resort comes with one large themed pool in the middle of the property and a few smaller pools.

This is another very close category where all main pools are generally the same between Pop Century and the All-Star Resorts. If we had to vote our pick would be the All-Star Movies resorts as the storytelling of Fantasia and the Mighty Ducks-themed pool make us feel like we are at Disney.

What kind of pools does All-Star Resorts vs Pop Century Resort have?

• All-Star Movies – Fantasia Pool: This pool is inspired by Disney’s animated classic “Fantasia” and features a larger-than-life Sorcerer Mickey statue, whimsical characters, and a sorcerer’s hat-themed water play area.
• All-Star Music – Calypso Pool: The Calypso Pool is shaped like a guitar and is located in the Calypso section of the resort. It features giant maracas, a music-themed splash area, and statues of the Three Caballeros.
• All Star Sports – Surfboard Bay Pool: This pool has a surfboard theme and is located near the Surf’s Up building. It showcases larger-than-life surfboards and has a sports-themed splash area.

Additionally, each of the All-Star Resorts has smaller, quieter pools called “quiet pools” scattered throughout the resort grounds. These pools provide a more relaxed atmosphere and are great for guests who prefer a quieter swimming experience.

• Pop Century Resort
  • Hippy Dippy Pool: The Hippy Dippy Pool is the main pool at Pop Century and is located in the 1960s section of the resort. It is shaped like a flower and features a larger-than-life tie-dye shirt as the centerpiece. The pool area is colorful and lively, with playful water jets shooting up from the ground. It also has a nearby kiddie pool and a pool bar called Petals Pool Bar.
  • Bowling Pool: Located in the 1950s section of the resort, the Bowling Pool is designed like a classic bowling pin with a bowling ball on top. The pool area is adorned with oversized bowling pins and bowling balls, creating a nostalgic atmosphere.
  • Computer Pool: The Computer Pool can be found in the 1990s section of the resort. It showcases larger-than-life icons from the digital age, such as floppy disks and pixelated computer screens. The pool area has a fun and futuristic feel to it.

In addition to these main pool areas, Pop Century Resort also offers smaller “quiet pools” situated in each of the resort’s four sections. These quiet pools provide a more serene and relaxed environment for guests looking to unwind away from the hustle and bustle of the main pool areas.

Related post: Complete Guide to the Best Disney Resort Pools

Theming at the Pop Century Resort Vs the All-Star Resorts 2024

We have touched on it briefly in regards to the pools, however, we wanted to talk about the theming of each resort very quickly most importantly which Disney value resort is best if you’re looking for a Disney character theme?

All-Star Sports has great sports theming throughout the resort. From the Mighty Ducks area to a giant football field, you are immersed in the world of sports! All Star Music like the name implies, has everything to do with music.

At the Pop Century Resort, you will relive fads of the 1950s through the 1990s. Some of the notable icons found on the property include yo-yos, Rubik’s cubes, and roller skates. However, when comparing the theming of Pop Century resorts Vs the All-Star resorts our vote has to go with Disney’s All-Star Movies resort.

The reason is the All-Star Movies resort has so many beloved Disney characters throughout the hotel. Guests can enjoy movies such as Fantasia, 101 Dalmatians, and The Jungle Book. It’s not to say All-Star Sports or All-Star Music doesn’t incorporate Disney characters. We enjoy the subtle nods to Disney, however, if you want to be immersed in Disney characters you simply must stay at the All-Star Movies resort.

Related Article: The 11 Best Disney World Resort Pools

Pop Century vs All-Star Resorts FAQ

Q:What is a Disney Value Resort?

Disney’s Value resorts are the perfect options for families traveling to Disney World on a strict budget but would still like to stay in the middle of the magic. Disney’s value resorts are the cheapest hotel options on Walt Disney World property, however, that doesn’t make them undesirable. We find them a great place to stay for any family that simply knows they will be spending almost all of their time out of their room and in the theme parks.

Q: Are there preferred rooms available at Pop Century vs All Stars?

A: Yes, both Pop Century and All-Star Resorts offer preferred room options for an additional cost. Preferred rooms are located closer to main amenities and transportation, providing convenience and quicker access.

Q: Which is better: Pop Century Resort or All-Star Resorts?

We love the All-Star Resorts for the Value of your stay versus what you get. That said, both options are almost similar and depend more on the specifics you want out of your vacation. Both resorts provide bus transportation to the theme parks, but Pop Century Resort has an additional transportation option, the Disney Skyliner, which connects guests to Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. If proximity and convenience to specific parks are important to you, consider the transportation options and how they align with your itinerary.

When is The Best Time to Visit Disney World?

Our Disney  World Crowd Calendar is the best tool to help you get the most out of your time in the parks. We break down park crowds, park hours of operation, ticket prices, and average temperature. We also break down the best time to visit Disney World based on specific times of the year and special events.

Are You Ready to Plan Your Next Disney World Trip?

Are you planning a trip to Walt Disney World? Be sure to speak with a Disney World Travel Agent for the most recent deals and promotions. The Park Prodigy will provide a Free Quote for all Disney World Vacation Packages. The Park Prodigy can also help you save up to $20 per ticket when purchasing your Walt Disney World Tickets, and we offer promotional discounts for special events such as Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party Tickets and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party Tickets. If you’re brand new to Disney vacation planning we recommend our Walt Disney World Planning Page! Learn more about Disney hotels by reading our Walt Disney World Hotels Review page.

Don’t forget to check out our wonderful friends over at Theme Park Today, as well!